A new ally for addicts and the families that love them.

Thrilled to have you here but I must say it is very weird writing about yourself! Let’s begin with some background. I am from Virginia, run a public relations firm in New York focusing on professional athletes and the financial industry, have three kids, a husband who has one of those “Can’t tell you what I do for a living” jobs, and never had any aspirations to run a blog, and certainly not a blog discussing addiction and the loss of my son. My kids call me “BARRACUDA,” and they have great fun sharing videos of my zeal. Shea returned to UVA last week and in the middle of the night she heard my car alarm go off and called me out of a dead sleep to tell me. I opened her dorm door and saw three police cars by my car and a tow truck. Out the door I went in my bare feet, introducing myself to the police officers, shook their hands, with my next sentence “take the tow thing off my car or you will be towing it with me on top of it, and I am not paying the ticket on the windshield.” After much negotiation, I returned to her dorm. Shea sends to my other daughter Kelley, “Tonight mom took on 6 police officers, one tow truck driver and won.” They have a ball with me and “Mom, take it down about 15 notches” and “let me live,” I hear often. However, they also watch with great observation, as they are both fierce crusader’s , street smart, and compassionate; I raised “Mini Barracudas” with heart. But heroin took that from one of them and took him from me. My new battle, and one I don’t plan to lose. Welcome to American Boy The intent of this project is very simple. It addresses what we believe to be the three obstacles that impeded Matt from recovery; twenty-eight days in treatment is never enough, the stigma of addiction, and inadequate resources for identifying great programs. My son was an addict. I was never ashamed of Matt, I loved him with every fiber of my being. Not to say I wasn’t ashamed of some of his actions and behaviors, but heroin and the disease of addiction caused that, it took from me the child I knew. I know your children are beautiful beings when drugs are out of the picture and I know how unrecognizable they are when drugs are not. You have found a home here. American Boy is to be a resource for struggling parents, struggling siblings and all the loved ones that surround that dynamic. There will be help here for everyone and if you don’t find it here, we will create it. I am not waiting any longer for something to change. I lost Matt, but trust me when I say this, I will not stop fighting for you in his honor. Buy Shea’s book, you will relate to every page of AMERICAN BOY. This book was difficult for us to share and in hindsight, I will admit some of Shea’s observations were accurate. You love your child so desperately and hurt so much to see them struggling that you compromise your own morals hoping that maybe this is the turning point. Maybe that motorcycle he needed the last $400.00 to buy, will change everything. I am going to be honest and real about everything I share on this blog. Nothing is off limits, but I ask you to do the same. You must engage and share openly because if we aren’t honest, we help no one. This is a battle you do not have to fight alone. Matt did not win it, but that does not in any way mean you won’t. And to siblings, meet Kelley and Shea. They will be present here as well, to share things they felt and are feeling, and you open to one another. Their insight on the Sibling FAQ will let you know you are not alone. Finally, to all those who suffer right along with us but from a distance, yes you can be instrumental in this fight. We need you to influence the outcomes of our efforts. So right NOW, do this as a starting point all free, all simple: *Like us on Facebook-introduce us to your loved one. *Engage on Instagram *Tweet on Twitter then retweet! Social media will get us traction to get scholarships for young people with no resources and force our voice onto those who are not listening. My relationship with the fabulous Dr. Carrie Wilkens at Center for Motivation and Change reminds me often, “change is hard to do for anyone but there are strategies that are far more effective than others” and she is prepared to share those in this forum. Her books and foundation the basis for addiction redefined. Buy them, get them at the library, go on their website, donate to their foundation. I never envisioned having a web site that would address the loss of my American Boy, discussing the horrid journey of addiction. I lost Matt, but now I am strong, I am fiercely determined to be a compelling voice in a club I never opted to join. Let’s Help One Another. Not tomorrow, not next week, right now. NEXT POST: We get personal with my hysterical story seeking a counselor for myself! “Wait, did you really just ask me how I am coping? What an idiot question and frankly, “Isn’t that what I am paying you for?????” UGH.